About
Racine Zoo Education Programs include live animal educational programs, birthday parties, Zoo Slumber Safaris, holiday events, the Wildlife Explorers school program, Zoo summer camps, scout programs, and Behind-the-Scenes Encounters and Tours. The Conservation Education Department is dedicated to promoting awareness of conservation issues through engaging, educational, and entertaining Zoo experiences.
The Racine Zoo is a nonprofit that was established in March 1923 by Jacob Stoffel, Jr. The Zoo cares for approximately 75 different species and over 300 individual animals from Wisconsin and around the world and maintains a staff of 25 full-time employees including animal care specialists, administration, and facility managers. Each year, more than 140,000 guests visit the Racine Zoo’s 32-acre park. The Zoo’s mission is to foster an enlightening and affordable wildlife experience that improves the bond between people and nature, and to provide for recreation and education, conservation of wildlife and wild places, and the advancement of science.
The Racine Zoo is involved in local, national, and international conservation initiatives including the ornate box turtle head-start program, Frog Watch USA, and population monitoring of the Johnstone’s frog. The Zoo has a Declaration of Inclusion emphasizing a welcoming culture for individuals of all races, skin colors, religions, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, abilities, disabilities, and learning styles, and a Land Acknowledgement recognizing that the Zoo sits on the traditional lands of many Great Lakes Nations, including Peoria, Bodéwadmi (Potawatomi), Myaamia, Hoocąk (Ho-Chunk), and Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo).
The Racine Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It received the 2022 Governor's Tourism Service Excellence Award. From 2021 through 2024, it has been repeatedly recognized by Racine Journal Times, Kids Out & About, and Hulafrog in categories such as “Best Place to Take Kids,” “Best Summer Camp,” “Best Family Fun,” “Best Non-Profit,” “Best Place to Work (Under 49 Employees),” “Best Place for Summer Jobs,” “Most Loved Place to Go,” and “Top Place to Take Kids In and Around Milwaukee.”
Last updated February 28, 2026.
The Racine Zoo is a nonprofit that was established in March 1923 by Jacob Stoffel, Jr. The Zoo cares for approximately 75 different species and over 300 individual animals from Wisconsin and around the world and maintains a staff of 25 full-time employees including animal care specialists, administration, and facility managers. Each year, more than 140,000 guests visit the Racine Zoo’s 32-acre park. The Zoo’s mission is to foster an enlightening and affordable wildlife experience that improves the bond between people and nature, and to provide for recreation and education, conservation of wildlife and wild places, and the advancement of science.
The Racine Zoo is involved in local, national, and international conservation initiatives including the ornate box turtle head-start program, Frog Watch USA, and population monitoring of the Johnstone’s frog. The Zoo has a Declaration of Inclusion emphasizing a welcoming culture for individuals of all races, skin colors, religions, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, abilities, disabilities, and learning styles, and a Land Acknowledgement recognizing that the Zoo sits on the traditional lands of many Great Lakes Nations, including Peoria, Bodéwadmi (Potawatomi), Myaamia, Hoocąk (Ho-Chunk), and Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo).
The Racine Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It received the 2022 Governor's Tourism Service Excellence Award. From 2021 through 2024, it has been repeatedly recognized by Racine Journal Times, Kids Out & About, and Hulafrog in categories such as “Best Place to Take Kids,” “Best Summer Camp,” “Best Family Fun,” “Best Non-Profit,” “Best Place to Work (Under 49 Employees),” “Best Place for Summer Jobs,” “Most Loved Place to Go,” and “Top Place to Take Kids In and Around Milwaukee.”
Last updated February 28, 2026.
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